Annual variation in lung associated immunity and season dependent invasion of Alternaria alternata in lungs of Indian jungle bush quail, Perdicula asiatica

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The purpose of this study was to evaluate annual variation in lung associated immune system (LAIS) along with general immunity of Perdicula asiatica an Indian tropical bird. Variation in immunological parameters such as size of bronchus associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) and non-BALT nodules, percent stimulation ratio (%SR) of isolated lung lymphocytes, total leukocyte count (TLC) and lymphocyte count (LC) was noted along with circulatory hormonal levels i.e. melatonin and testosterone for two consecutive years. Lowest immune status in terms of small BALT and non-BALT nodular size, %SR, TLC and LC was noted in the month of April. Considering the relation between annual variation of the peripheral hormones melatonin and testosterone and immune status of this bird, we observed an inverse relationship. It could be that high testosterone (an immunosuppressor) and low melatonin (an immunostimulator) levels during summer months are responsible for low immunity. While studying annual variation in LAIS we observed a fungal pathogen Alternaria alternata present in the lungs only during April suggesting that invasion occurred at a particular month of harvest (April). During the month of April low lung immune status was recorded, which could be responsible for such an invasion. This bird is a game bird and consumed as food by common rural people. If this fungus is being ingested along with the birds it may cause diseases like bronchitis, asthma, etc. in human being. Hence, gaming of this bird during summer month (April) should be avoided.